Pyracomeles vilmorinii plant named ‘NCXP1’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Pyracomeles cultivar named ‘NCXP1’ is disclosed, characterized by thornless shoots and a compact, dense, spreading plant habit. Plants are non-flowering after 8 years of observation. The new cultivar is a Pyracomeles, suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Latin name of the genus and species: Pyracomeles vilmorinii.

Variety denomination: ‘NCXP1’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct Pyracomelesvilmorinii cultivar hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name‘NCXP1’. This new Pyracomeles vilmorinii was developed through abreeding program at a research nursery, located in Mills River, N.C. In2001, the seed parent, Pyracomeles vilmorinii (Pyracantha crenatoserratax Osteomeles subrotunda), unpatented, unnamed was hybridized with thepollen parent Pyracantha crenatoserrata (fortuneana) ‘Cherri Berri’ tocreate a population (H2002-019) of new hybrids. Seeds from openpollinated plants of H2002-019 were germinated in 2010 to create a newpopulation, H2010-272. ‘NCXP1’ was selected from the H2010-272population, based upon its combination of desirable traits as describedbelow.

The first asexual propagation of ‘NCXP1’ occurred in July 2010 byrooting stem cuttings at the North Carolina State University MountainHorticultural Crops Research Station, Mills River, N.C. ‘NCXP1’ rootsreadily from softwood cuttings treated with a basal dip of 5,000 ppmindole butyric acid (potassium salt) in water. ‘NCXP1’ was has beenrepeatedly reproduced by vegetative cuttings over an 8 year period andhas been found to retain its distinctive characteristics throughsuccessive asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the unique combination of characteristics of this newcultivar when grown under standard horticultural practices at MillsRiver, N.C.

-   -   1. Compact, spreading habit.    -   2. Thornlessness.    -   3. Showy, evergreen foliage.

COMPARISON TO PARENT VARIETIES

Pyracomeles vilmorinii ‘NCXP1’ is a unique intergeneric hybrid, whichconfers significant differences in habit, form, and plant morphologywhen compared to its parental taxa. ‘NCXP1’ is distinct from the pollenparent in that ‘NCXP1’ is thornless and has a much more compact,spreading habit.

This new hybrid is distinct from the seed parent in that ‘NCXP1’ hasmostly entire (sometimes crenulate or serrate; rarely with occasionalclefts) leaves while the seed parent is most likely to have pinnateleaves.

Additionally, ‘NCXP1’ is free of flowers and fruit, unlike eitherparental taxa.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘NCXP1’ can be compared to the unpatented, unnamed Pyracomelesvilmorinii known in the industry and academia. Plants of the newcultivar ‘NCXP1’, differ in the following:

-   1. Plants of the new variety have not been observed to produce    flowers, this comparator produces flowers.-   2. Foliage of the new variety is long and more linear than the    smaller, more elliptic to nearly round leaves found on this    comparator.-   3. Foliage of the new variety is simple, foliage of this comparator    is compound.

‘NCXP1’ can be compared to the unpatented Pyracomeles coccinea ‘Lowboy’.Plants of the new cultivar ‘NCXP1’, differ in the following:

-   1. Plants of the new variety have not been observed to produce    flowers, this comparator produces flowers.-   2. Foliage of the new variety is glossier than leaves found on this    comparator.-   3. Plants of the new variety are shorter and more compact than    plants of this comparator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

Flowers, foliage, and form of ‘NCXP1’ illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs which show the plant's form and foliage. The colors shownare as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographicprocedures. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the colorvalues cited in the detailed botanical description, which accuratelydescribe the colors of the new Pyracomeles vilmorinii ‘NCXP1’.

FIG. 1 is a photograph showing the form and habit of a 5-year-old‘NCXP1’ in Mills River, N.C., in October, 2016.

FIG. 2 is a photograph showing the foliage and winter foliage colors ofa 6-year-old ‘NCPX1’ in Mills River, N.C., in December, 2017.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the botanical characteristicsof the new and distinct Pyracomeles vilmorinii ‘NCXP1’. The descriptionwas taken in 2017 on a 5-year-old, field-grown plant in Mills River,N.C. All colors cited herein refer to The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart (The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.), London, 2015Edition. Where specific dimensions, sizes, colors, and othercharacteristics are given, it is to be understood that suchcharacteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accuratelyas practicable.

-   Botanical classification: Pyracomeles vilmorinii ‘NCXP1’.

PROPAGATION

-   Typically by softwood stem cuttings.

PLANT

-   Plant type and growth habit: Compact and spreading; densely    multi-stemmed evergreen shrub.-   Height: About 0.5 m at 5 years.-   Width: About 1 m at 5 years.-   Growth rate: Moderate.-   Roots: Fibrous.-   Shoots (most recent year's growth):    -   -   Shape.—Rounded.        -   Thorns.—Thornless.        -   Immature shoots.—In the sun, new growth at the union point            ranges from RHS 166A-176A (Greyed Orange Group),            transitioning to RHS 183A-183C (Greyed Purple Group) with            new growth tips exhibiting coloration within the RHS            187A-187C (Greyed Purple Group) range. In the shade, new            growth shoots are more consistent in color, generally            falling within the RHS N199A (Dark Greyish Yellowish Brown)            designation.        -   Mature shoot.—Shoot color is variable and dependent on            exposure to sunlight and stage of maturity. Mature shoots            exposed to sunlight exhibit RHS 199B (Light Olive Brown)            coloration at branch union points, which transitions to RHS            N199C (Moderate Yellowish Brown) at the tips. In the shade,            mature shoots are generally RHS 199A (Dark Greyish Yellowish            Brown) at branch union points, and fade to RHS N199C            (Moderate Yellowish Brown) at shoot tips.        -   Shoot texture.—Slightly pubescent with fine, silver (too            minute to measure accurately with R.H.S. chart) hairs            visible under magnification; raised lenticels are visible            and are more apparent on stems exposed to direct sunlight.        -   Lenticels.—Color: RHS 165C (Moderate Orange Yellow).            Diameter: Average is 0.5 mm (range is 0.3-0.8 mm).        -   Internode length.—Average is 16.9 mm (range is 15-20 mm).        -   Shoot length.—Average is 10.0 cm (range is 7.2-12.9 cm).        -   Shoot diameter.—Average is 0.96 mm (range is 0.52-1.37 mm).-   Branches:    -   -   Diameter.—Fully mature branches range from 2-4 cm in            diameter.        -   Color.—Mix of RHS N200B (Brownish Grey) and RHS N200C (Light            Brownish Grey).

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Type.—Simple.        -   Arrangement.—Alternate; with age, sometimes whorled.        -   Persistence.—Evergreen.        -   Shape.—Leaves exposed to direct sunlight were variable in            shape. Generally, leaves are elliptic and oblong with            occasional oblanceolate and obovate leaf shapes. In the            shade, leaves were often elliptic, obovate or oblong with            occasional oblanceolate leaves.        -   Apex.—Variable: ranges from rounded to broadly acute,            occasionally apices are obtuse or cuspidate; rarely, some            apices are emarginate.        -   Base.—Generally cuneate or rounded.        -   Margin.—Variable: ranges from entire to crenulate or            serrate; in the shade, serration deepens to form occasional            clefts.        -   Venation.—Reticulate.        -   Texture.—Glabrous, glossy adaxial surface; glabrous abaxial            surface.        -   Size.—Length: Average is 15.9 mm (range 10-25 mm). Width:            Average is 6.60 mm (range is 4-12 mm).        -   Attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Immature leaf color.—As with mature leaves, immature leaves            exhibit color variation in response to sunlight. In the sun,            adaxial surfaces exhibit RHS 141A (Deep Yellowish Green) at            the leaf base, and transition to RHS 139A (Dark Yellowish            Green). Leaf tips range from RHS 183B to RHS 187A (Dark            Red). Abaxial surfaces are RHS 165A (Moderate Brown). In the            shade, adaxial surfaces range from RHS 143A to RHS 144A            (Strong Yellow Green) at the leaf base, and exhibit blushing            along the leaf margins and tips in RHS N34B (Strong Reddish            Orange). Abaxial surfaces are RHS N144A (Strong Yellowish            Green). In winter, the youngest leaves often turn RHS 179A            (Moderate Red).        -   Mature leaf color.—Color: Leaf color is variable depending            upon sun exposure. In the sun, adaxial surfaces are            generally a mix of RHS 143B (Deep Yellowish Green) and RHS            39A (Dark Yellowish Green). Adaxial surfaces exhibit RHS            146D (Moderate Yellow Green) coloration. In the shade,            adaxial surfaces are a mix of RHS 139B (Moderate Yellowish            Green) and RHS 141B (Deep Yellowish Green) while abaxial            surfaces are a mix of RHS 146C and RHS 146D (Moderate Yellow            Green).        -   Petiole.—Shape: Rounded. Length: Average is 1.45 mm (range            is 0.7-2.50 mm). Diameter: Average is 0.52 mm (range is            0.30-1.00 mm). Surface: Glabrous. Color: Green 139A (Dark            Yellowish Green).        -   Stipules.—Are minute and exist as pairs, and require            magnification for visibility. They are approximately 0.1×0.2            mm.

FLOWER

-   ‘NCXP1’ has not exhibited flowers or fruit in 8 years of    observation.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease and pest resistance: Not observed to be susceptible nor    resistant to normal diseases and pests of Pyracomeles.-   Temperature tolerance: Cold-hardy to USDA Zone 6A. Survival over    multiple winters has also been documented in USDA Zone 5.-   Fruit/seed production: Not observed to date.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Pyracomeles plantnamed ‘NCXP1’ as herein illustrated and described.